The arrival of Hermanus was undoubtedly a relief to Marcian, who was almost out of breath, and at the same time, it brought a moment of comfort to the nervous city, at least to make the panicked citizens know that they still have reinforcements to help the current Augustus.

At the very least, the combined number of the two armies would allow Flavis to be outside the city. Luga retreated, no one in the city wanted to see war break out right now.

Marcian set up a grand feast in the palace, inviting the nobles and courtiers of the Senate. Of course, the most important invitation here is Hermanus, and a discerning person can see what Marcian means at a glance.

Seeing that the banquet was full of guests, Marcian stood up with his glass and shouted to the nobles present: "It is with great respect that I welcome Hermanus, a veteran of great achievements, and warmly welcome and thank him for joining us. ”

Marcian's blatant flattery to Hermanus made the nobles present smile awkwardly, and everyone understood that this was nothing more than a helpless move.

But no one refused to admit that the arrival of Hermanus did discourage the nobles and commoners in the city from escaping, which may be a real feeling of safety.

Just when everything in Constantinople was singing and dancing to welcome Hermanus and his navy. At night, outside the city of Constantinople, a large number of soldiers had formed a military formation and gradually approached Constantinople under the cover of night.

Staggered, laughter, wine is not good, the picture of the drink in the cup tasted greedy for a few glasses, but unexpectedly drank and drank on the head.

Marcian regarded Hermanus as his confidant or savior, and every glass of wine, every word, revealed flattery and faintly seemed to tell Hermanus, support me as Augustus, and you will get everything you want.

At the end of the feast, Hermanuste was escorted back to his mansion by Marcian's Praetorian Guard.

The service was so attentive that the guards would not stop until they watched Hermanus enter the door under the escort of his guards. Hermanus was dazed until he entered his room and saw a familiar figure.

"Oh, it must have been me who drank too much, or rather, there was someone here that I didn't notice in time, sorry, forgive me for my gaffes, Your Excellency!" Hermanus kneaded his sparse sleepy eyes as he thought about them, trying to keep them open, until he finally saw the man clearly in his dizziness.

"Father, it seems that you have not been drunk at the right time." Berialius stood up and helped Hermanus back to his bed.

"Oh my God, Berialiu." Hermanus tried to stare at Berialius with wide eyes and surprise, so excited that his lips trembled a little, he stared at Belialius intently, his words were mixed with excitement and excitement, such feelings were simple and sincere, "You haven't been back for a while, my dear child! ”

"Of course, Father, it's a pleasure to see you!" The father and son, who had been separated for many years, hugged each other tightly.

"Oh, son, is it not that the situation in the west is so uncertain that you intend to return, and return to your father's trusty and solid embrace?"

"Ha, father, you are wrong, I am no longer a child who does not do more." After Beriali finished speaking, his face changed as if he had changed his tricks, and he grabbed Hermanus, who was still in a drunken dream, with a serious face, and asked, "Father, for Augustus, how much is his father's loyalty?" ”

"Which Augustus?" Hermanus thought that Berialius's words were a joke, and thought that such a naïve question was just a child's nonsense, so he jokingly asked: "Do you mean Marcian?" ”

"No, it's Theodosius!"

"Ha, oh my God, young people nowadays are really lawless, always self-righteous, even Theodosius's real name can you say casually?" Hermanus looked a little displeased, and he gave a harsh lecture to Berialius, who seemed to him to be ignorant of the rules.

"Yes, it's him, the former Augustus who has died." Berialius nodded repeatedly, and then asked, "What do you think of him, at least say it, so that I can understand what you mean." ”

"May he live a long life, oh, if he still lived, it would be great." Hermanus said, letting out a long sigh, looking like he had gained and lost. "You know, Berialius, it's bad news, it's a loss for Rome."

"Then you are still loyal to Theodosius, not to Marcian, am I right?"

"Loyalty is to the living, not to the people who have been erased into the past, Berialius, my child."

"And what about Augustus's edict, will you obey his orders?"

"What do you say again, Berialiu!" Hermanus bounced out of bed as if he had been electrocuted, and he looked at Berialius with wide eyes and horror, "Child, do you know that forging an edict will kill you, and you won't know about it!" ”

"I didn't fake, father!" "It's true, father, that Augustus himself sent to Luga, and of course, a letter from Lickinia, and now Luga asks my father if you still have any loyalty to Augustus. If so, let me send you this letter. ”

Hermanus accepted the beautifully packaged letter suspiciously, and Hermanus swallowed, his expression so ugly and unnatural.

When he had opened the parchment, his eyes widened at the sight of the words, as if Theodosius himself had suddenly appeared before him.

"Oh my god, my God!"

Hermanus was so excited that he held the parchment letter as if he were holding a precious treasure.

"This is really the edict of Theodosius, it is true, I dare to guarantee my life, oh God, is it true?" Hermanus couldn't believe his eyes, but it was happening.

"So let's put it that way, Flavies. Luga became the new Augustus, but was it the will of Theodosius? Hermanus held the parchment and said to Berialius with trepidation.

"Now that Luga's army is approaching Constantinople, His Excellency Luga has come here to ask your father whether you are the rightful successor of Augustus, or the rebel who is bent on taking your power and achieving his own goal of usurping the throne."

"It's going to start a war, my boy." Hermanus said, bowing his head in contemplation, and continued: "But for now, it seems that this is another problem that must be faced, and it seems that this new master of Constantinople is about to be born!" ”